Trip report by Nikolaj (Lois' former student, recently graduated from Texas Wesleyan U - and he has a job!); photos by John
Ten people met at the Forks on the Boardman River around 9 AM. Approximate morning temperature on this second day of September: 47 degrees (at least it felt like that!). It was a beautiful morning for a paddle trip, and Nikolaj’s first trip with the TAPC.
Nikolaj had parked his car at BBL and John & Lois were there to pick him up at 8:50 AM. Marv Puska had also agreed to meet us at BBL after the trip was over to help transport drivers back to the Forks. The launch ran relatively smoothly with no early morning swims; and with sunlight filtering through the tall pines and thick swamps, the TAPC and guests proceeded down the river.
The group stopped at the horse trail crossing by Scheck’s Place and reveled in the warm sunlight (many layers were peeled). John agreed to head downstream and take action shots as the paddlers were rounding a bend just downstream of Scheck’s.
Lois pointed out that we would be coming up on some heavy equipment and the new footbridge, just before entering the open field that was previously Brown Bridge Pond. The last open stretch through this area was a big change from the thickly wooded beginning. There was only space for 3 boats to land at BBL, and a minor traffic jam ensued. One of the paddlers (he will remain anonymous) decided it would be a great time for a swim and capsized his boat while trying to exit. A chuckle was had by all and the boats were loaded.
This great blue heron is brighter than most; he sat there while the entire group paddled on by
Nikolaj's first trip down the Boardman
Susan Steele
Jackie
Carol Smith
Lois
Marlene
Susan
LIndy getting spoiled using John's paddle
Doug in the maiden voyage of his new boat
Jackie
Nikolaj in Marv's old kayak, which now belongs to L&J
Tracie
Lois and her former calculus student, Nikolaj